Peaches

Juicy, sweet and full of flavor, peaches are the crowning glory of summer's seasonal produce. Delicious both eaten out of hand or in a fancy dessert, be sure to get your fill before they're gone.

Nutrition Notes

Despite their wonderful sweetness, peaches don't have a lot of calories. Add a scoop of frozen yogurt or bake them into a pie and obviously the calorie count goes up.

But a medium size fresh peach eaten out of hand only has about 40 calories and provides about 2 grams of dietary fibre. Peaches also contain other nutrients and antioxidants including potassium, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and lutein and zeaxanthin. They are also cholesterol and sodium free.

Varieties

There are over 200 varieties of peaches, most of which fall into one of two general classifications - freestone, in which case the stone or pit falls easily away from the flesh, and clingstone, where the fruit adheres stubbornly to the pit. A few varieties fall in between and are referred to as semi-freestone.

The firmer textured clingstones are widely used for canning and other commercial uses. It's generally the freestone varieties that you will find in supermarkets and farmers markets. Popular varieties in ripening order include Harrow Diamond, Garnet Beauty, Early Redhaven, Redhaven, Vivid, Loring and Harrow Beauty.

The fuzzy skin of the peach can ranges from pink-blushed creamy-white to red-blushed yellow and its flesh from pinkish-white to yellow-gold.

Buying

If you're buying peaches to eat the same day, it's best to look for fruit that is soft, gives to gentle pressure and has a sweet aroma. Because they bruise easily, be sure to check them over for soft spots or blemishes. Look for plump, medium to large peaches.

Otherwise look for fruit that is quite firm. It will ripen over the next few days.

Choose peaches that have a smooth skin free of blemishes and mushy spots, a sweet fragrance and a background color of yellow, warm cream or light peach. If the skin is wrinkled or has a greenish tinge at the end, do not buy. Avoid dark-colored peaches. Tan circles or spots on the skin are early signs of spoiling.

Storing

Firm peaches will ripen if they are kept at room temperature out of direct sunlight. If desired, you can put them in a paper bag that has been pierced in several places. Check the fruit daily. Do not use a plastic bag; it can cause the fruit to develop off-flavors and to spoil.

Adding an apple to a paper bag full of peaches will speed ripening because apples give off ethylene gas. This gas is what encourages the ripening process.

Ripe peaches should be kept refrigerated in a single layer for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before eating. Overripe (very soft) peaches should be used, fresh or in cooking the day they are purchased.

Preparing

Gently rinse under cool running water.

To peel

Quickly blanching peaches beforehand will make peeling easier. Immerse peaches in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds. The skins may split. Plunge them immediately into ice water to cool and stop the cooking process. The skins should slip off.

To halve

To halve a freestone peach, cut it along the seam right down to the stone and twist the halves apart. Lift out the stone with the tip of a small knife. Slice or quarter the flesh of a clingstone peach by making cuts into the fruit, then lifting each section off the stone.

Baking

Place peeled, halved, pitted peaches, cut-side up, in a glass baking pan. Brush with lemon, orange or other citrus juice to prevent browning and to add flavor. Sprinkle with brown sugar and baked in a 325ÃŒÅ F oven until hot and tender when pierced with a knife. Cooking time is approximately 25 minutes.

Grilling/broiling

Place peeled, halved, pitted peaches on the grill or under the broiler. Brush with lemon or orange juice and cook until heated through. Cooking time is approximately 6-8 minutes.

Poaching

Eating

Some might argue that a fresh peach is best eaten out of hand. However there are many dishes where the peach, and its juicy sweetness, shines through. These include: peach pie, peach sundaes, Peach Melba, peach ice cream, peach cobbler, grilled peaches, peach jam, brandied peaches, peach preserves, peaches and cream.

Healthy Ways to Enjoy Peaches

Breakfast

Slice peaches and add to your favourite cereal or use as a topping for pancakes and waffles.

Make a peach smoothie with low-fat yogurt and peaches in a blender for breakfast or an anytime snack.

Spread your morning toast or bagel with peach preserves.

Look for recipes for baked goods such as quickbreads and muffins that call for fresh peaches.

Lunch

Mix low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese with cubed, fresh peaches.

Fresh peaches make a delicious addition to a lunch size fruit salad.

Peach salsa adds zip to sandwiches and wraps.

Dinner

Top angel food cake or frozen yogurt with fresh sliced peaches and their juice.

Freeze a can of peaches in the freezer, then open and puree in a blender for a great summer sorbet.

Grill, broil or bake peach halves to serve as a sweet side dish to roasted meats or to toss with fresh mixed greens.

For a classic dinner party dessert, look for a recipe in your cookbooks for Peach Melba.

A chilled peach soup is a refreshing start to an evening meal on a warm night.

Snacks

Grab a fresh peach and take a bite!

Did you know?

Peach Melba, a dessert made with two poached peach halves served with vanilla ice cream and topped with a raspberry sauce, was created in the late 1800s by the famous French chef Escoffier for Dame Nellie Melba, a popular Australian opera singer.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.